Kerry and Dublin players’ All-Stars ratings ahead of final replay
How are the finalists’ All-Stars stock after the drawn All-Ireland final? Honest broker tests the market.
KERRY
Won’t do enough to surpass Stephen Cluxton but will be a nomination barring slip-ups.
Still learning his trade and can use his pace better but bordering on a nomination.
Able to play football as well as be physical and has put himself in the frame for an All-Star with recent displays.
An All-Star going into the final but needs better performance on Saturday to consolidate it.
His worth to Kerry is huge although the sweeper role doesn’t suit him.
With some diligent contributions, he has jumped into the reckoning in the last two games.
So, so quiet when up against Niall Scully but then the Dubliner was too.
Since the Munster final, his performances have risen considerably. His team’s captain in everything but name.
Did enough to retain his spot for the rematch yet won’t feature in any All-Stars debate.
Form hadn’t been great going into the final and he might be dropped again.
Young footballer of the year-elect and all but certain of a first All-Star.
Not his best showing of the Championship but he’s playing the football of his life.
On the verge of successive gongs despite being slightly off the last day.
Not 30 until November 2020, he’s more relatively old. Made some telling defensive plays as things went against him at the other end.
Only because he’s been hardly seen this summer but a massive contribution the last day.
DUBLIN
A unit of quantity equal to one followed by 81 zeros, 81 being the year Cluxton was born. In fantastic form.
Showing bags of energy and doesn’t mind playing in advanced positions.
Fitzsimons is now the true firefighter in the full-back line. Clifford assignment awaits him.
Hadn’t played enough to figure before the final and then came that sending off.
Nothing too extravagant this summer. All the same, he continues to deliver.
More control required but still a more than useful back. An injury doubt for the replay.
And plenty of it. The Clontarf man is playing marvellously right now. Anoint him now.
Not at his majestic best eight days ago. Seemed to be carrying an injury.
In the drawn game, he didn’t look like the man who has revitalised himself this year.
Better-than-average and an engine to be envious of. Can’t be as anonymous again.
Not in brilliant fettle but still pulling the string especially in the dying embers.
Timed his run right for an All-Star last year and is doing the same again.
Diminishing returns was the story of his final but that won’t upset his All-Star credentials.
Rock has put his injury worries fully behind him and is making a late run for a third All-Star.
An All-Star irrespective of what happens at the weekend and possibly footballer of the year.
Cluxton;
Fitzsimons, Morley, O’Sullivan;
McCarthy, Crowley, McCaffrey;
Moran, Fenton;
Howard, O’Shea, O’Brien;
Clifford, Mannion, O’Callaghan.
